Mrs. Grace Ogunleye, the vice chairman of the Ilejemeje Local Government area, has been placed under remand by an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court due to her suspected involvement in a staged kidnapping event.

On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the Chief Magistrate, Mr. Abayomi Adeosun, issued the order after the defendant was arraigned on several accusations that included allegedly planning her own kidnapping.

Ogunleye was ordered by the court to be placed on remand at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Center while the case file was duplicated and sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

On May 20, 2026, Ogunleye was apparently reported missing after her car was discovered abandoned on the Ipere–Iludun Ekiti Road, raising questions about her safety.

The Nigeria Police Force, military forces, and local security officers participated in a coordinated search operation after the incident. The next day, she was rescued.

Police investigations, however, ultimately showed that the claimed kidnapping was allegedly orchestrated by the vice chairman of the council in order to obtain money to fulfill personal financial and political commitments.

After that, the case was brought before the court, which postponed it until the DPP gave more instructions.

In response, Mr. Pius Dada, the chairman of the Ilejemeje Local Government area, denounced the occurrence and emphasized that everyone will be subject to the law, regardless of their political position or rank.

Dada warned that such events could undermine public trust in government officials and security institutions, characterizing the alleged crime as regrettable and embarrassing.